Inhabitants' reaction to outdoor noise in Nagoya and in Beijing was
surveyed. A questionnaire on noise was conducted with more than 2000 people in
Nagoya and more than 1000 in Beijing. They were also asked whether they were
sensitive to each of the 37 types of noise sources. The responses of inhabitants
to the above questionnaire in Beijing are more sensitive than those in Nagoya to
loudness, annoyance, and sleep disturbance. Road traffic noise is the most
audible of 37 noise sources in both cities. Sounds of fireworks and sounds from
festivals are also highly audible in Beijing. The most annoying noise is one
from motorcycle gangs in both cities, and one from construction in Beijing. The
annoyance rates in Beijing are higher than those in Nagoya.